Mill for manufacture of tubes.



PATENTED OCT. 29. 1907.

E. WINTER.

MILL FOR MANUFACTURE OF TUBES.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 9, 1905. RENEWED MAR. 29, 1907.

Kim]? mWilt!ltntndvlvilllnlvllllllh 1% WITNESSES:

INVENTOR Attys UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EMIL WINTER, OF PITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA.

MILL FOR MANUFACTURE OF TUBES;

Application filed May 9. 1905- Serial No. 259,501. Renewed March 29,

To all whom "it may concern; A Be it known that I, EMIL WINTER, residingat Pittsburg, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, acitizen of the United States, have invented or discovered certain newand useful Improvements in Mills for the Manufacture of Tubes, &c.,ofwhich improvements the following is a specification.

In one of the known methods of making seamless tubes continuouslyrotating rolls having die or operative portions and cut away orinoperative portions,

are employed. In the practice of this method the feed of the mandrel andbillet after each operation of the die portions of the rolls, isdetermined by a stop, and by the operation of the die portions. of therolls the billet-is reduced and extended along the mandrel which issubsequently forced out of the tube or pipe.

In another method also in use oscillating dies or swages are employedand the mandrel and billet reciprocate synchronously with the dies orswages. At the beginning of the swaging operation the billet.issupported by a mandrel which extends only a short distance beyond theend of the billet. By the action of the swages the billet is reduced tothe desired dimensions and as fast as brought to the desired size thetube is forced off of the mandrel. In both of these methods the movementof operative portions of the rolls or swages, is during reduction,opposite the direction of feed of the T billet.

The object of the invention described herein is to effect theprogressive reduction of a billet by means of one or more dies movingcontinuously in the same direction in combination with means for movingthebillet at the time'the dies bite on or engage the billet in thedirection of movement of the dies and ator approximately at the samespeed as the dies. These dies in the manufacture of tubes so operate onthe billet as to, force the tube as rapidly as finished, off of themandrel. I

The invention is hereinafter more fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification Figurel is a view partly in section and partly in elevation of a form of myimproved swaging apparatus, Fig. 2 is an enlarged transverse section ona plan'e indicated by the line 11-11 Fig.' 1, andFig. 3' is a detailedview illustrating a form of mechanism for reciprocating the piston ofone of the fluidpressure Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 29, 1907. 1907. Serial No. 365.337.

backward movement; the speed of movement in the direction of rotation ofthe sWage-carrying rolls being equal to the peripheral speed of therolls when the latter bite on the billet while the billet is in the gripof the dies, and if need be such as to also cooperate with the dies whenthey are in engagement with the billet to maintain synchronous movementof the dies and billet.

As many forms of constructions of mechanisms for effecting the desiredreciprocation and feed of the billet may readily suggest themselves tothose skilled in the art, the invention as regards the broadsubject-matter of the claims, is not limited to the particular mechanismherein shown and described, in which the mandrel 1 is connected to thepiston rod 2 of the cylinder 3 having a length somewhat greater than thedesired stroke of the billet. This cylinder is mounted in suitableguide-ways on the bed- 4 and is adapted to be shifted to feed the billetbetween the rolls by any suitable means, as for example by a screw 5engaging a lug G on the cylinder. This screw is rotated preferablycontinuously, to effect a forward feed of the billet by a suitablemeans, as an electric motor 7. In order to prevent the formation of finson the finished article means are provided for rotating the billetholder. As the billet cannot be rotated while in the grip of the dies orswages and as the time between the operation of successive dies is shortthe rotating mechanism must act promptly, hence it 'is preferred toconstruct the motor mechanism so as to apply a pressure or force to theingot holder during a portion of its reciprocation, 'i. e.

-while the billet is in the grip of the dies and under i. 6. while thebillet is free from the grip of the dies or swages. A form ofmechanism'suitable for this purpose consists of a rotary engine 8 havingits shaft secured to the piston rod 2. A valve 9 controlling theadmission and exhaust of fluid pressure, is arranged in the supply pipe10. The valve is adapted to be automatically shifted at the proper timesby suitable means operated by some'part movable relative to the valve,as for example by the cylinder 3. In the construction shown the valve 9and motor 8 move synchronously with the billet and an arm 11 extendsfrom the cylinder in such manner as to engage and shift the valvestem atpropei intervals. As heretofore stated the billet holder and billet areshifted in the direction of rotation of die-rolls, preferably a littleprior to their engagement with the billet at a speed equal orapproximately equal to the peripheral speed of therolls. The rate ofmovement of the billet holder and billet in the opposite direction willbe dependent upon the distance between successive dies and theperipheral speed of the rolls, but should be such that the billet holderand billet will complete their return movement and start on theirforward movement in the interval between the release of the billet fromone pair of dies andlits engagement by the next pair. As the billet ismoving in the direction of rotation of the rolls and at a rate equal orapproximately equal to the peripheral movement of the dies, there willnot be any material or injurious shock or jar when the dies or swa gesengage the billet. While mechanism operating independently of the rollscan be employed, the reciprocating movements of the billet holder arepreferably effected or controlled by the rolls and the connectionbetween the rolls and billet holder is preferably such that the billetholder can have some movement 1'. e. sufficient for feed purposesindependent of the reciprocating mechanism. In the construction shownthe cylinder 3 is connected at or near its ends to a second cylinder 12at points outside of the range of movement of the piston 13, which isgiven a complete back and forth movement for each pair of dies carriedby the rolls, as for example in the construction shown the rolls havefour pairs of dies mounted thereon, hence the piston 13 will be givenfour complete back and forth movements during each rotation of therolls. The cylinders 3 and 12 are charged through a suitable supply pipeas 19 with fluid, preferably air under such pressure that piston 3 willrespond to any movement of the piston 13 with a degree of promptnessequal or approximately equal to that which would exist if provided withan equivalent lever connection. The reciprocation of the piston 13 canbe effected or controlled by the rolls,in many ways, as for example inthe construction shown, a mangle rack 14 is connected to the rod ofpiston 13 and a pinion 15 engages the teeth of this rack which is movedup or down as the pinion reaches to ends of the rack, so that the pinionmay engage the teeth on one side and then on the other. The rack is heldin engagement with the pinion by a pin 16 projecting from a suitablesupport into a groove 17 in the rack. The pinion is driven through asuitable train of gearing by the shaft or journal of one of the rolls.The cylinder 12 is pivotally supported as indicated at a to permit ofits oscillation by the rack.

The rolls are provided with one, two or more dies or reducing portions18 formed on or secured to the peripheries of the rolls, a suitabledistance apart, and each made with a suitable tapered groove. The rollsare so constructed that the portions thereof between the dies orreducing portions will not engage the billet, so that the latter may bemoved back between successive reductions of the billet. The rolls arerotated continuously and in a direction to cause the metal of. thebillet to flow forward and in the manufacture of pipes or tubes off ofthe mandrel. The reducing portions are provided with tapering grooves.

While it is preferred to rotate the rolls in the direction of feed ofthe billet, they may rotate in the opposite direction, in which casefeed would occur during the forward movement of the billet. And unlessotherwise expressed I include such combinations within the claimshereunto annexed. When the rolls rotate in the direction of the feed ofthe billet, the portions of the operative faces of the rolls having thesmallest diameter will bite first on the billet and on a finishedportion, which at the time the operative faces bite will be moving inthe same direction and at the same speed as the operative faces hencethere will not be any shock or jar at the time of the engagement of theoperative faces with the billetnor subsequently thereto, 'as the actionof the operative faces on the billet is a truelrolling operation.

It will be readily seen that the mechanism employed for reciprocatingthe billet acts as a sort of governor in respect of the properpresentation of the billet to the roll dies.- That is, this mechanismregulates the proper presentation of the billet to the dies, and itsmovement with respect to the rotation of the rolls, said mechanismbearing the weight of movement of reciprocation of the billet inaccordance with variations of rate of rotation of the roll dies, so thatthe billet and dies may move in the same direction and at substantiallythe same speed at the time of bite of the dies on the billet. Hence themechanism for reciprocating the billet as distinguished from themechanism for the progressive feed movement of the billet can beconveniently termed the billet governor.

I claim herein as my invention:

1. In a rolling mill, the combination of rolls having any desired numberof swaging portions and a corresponding number of portions of lessdiameter than the swaging portions, means for continuously rotating saidrolls, and billet moving mechanism operative in the direction of rollrotation and operative to move the billet at a speed approximately thatof the rolls at the time of bite of rolls on the billet.

2. In a rolling mill, the combination of rolls having any desired numberof swagingportions, and means for continuously rotating said rolls, anda billet reciprocating mechanism operative to reciprocate the billet andarranged on the movement in the direction of roll rotation, to impart tothe billet a speed approximately equal to that of the rolls at the timethe swaging portions of the rolls engage the billet.

3. In a rolling mill, the combination of rolls having any desired numberof swaging portions and a. corresponding number of portions of lessdiameter than the swaging portions, means for continuously rotating saidrolls, a billet reciprocating mechanism operative to reciprocate thebillet and arranged on the movement in the direction of roll rotation toimpart to the billet a speed approximately equal to that of the rolls atthe time swaging portions of the rolls engage the-billet, and means forprogressively feeding the billet.

4. In a rolling mill, the combination of rolls having any desired numberof swaging portions and a corresponding number of portions of lessdiameter than the swaging portions, means for continuously rotating saidrolls, and means for moving the billet into the bite of the swagingportions of the rolls at a speed approximately that of the swagingportions, and means for moving the billet in a reverse direction afterswaging or reducing action.

5. In a rolling mill, the combination of rolls having any desired numberof swaging portions and; a corresponding number of portions of lessdiameter than the swaging portions, means for continuousl rotating saidrolls, means for. moving the billet into the bite of the swagingportions of the rolls at a speed approximately that of the swagingportions, 'means for moving the billet in the reverse direction afterswaging or reducing action, and means for progressively feeding thebillet between said rolls. 1

6. In a rolling mill, the combination of rolls having any desired numberof swaging portions and a corresponding number of portions of lessdiameter than the swaging portions, means for continuoiisly rotatingsaid rolls, a billet moving mechanism operative in the direction of rollrota- -tion and operative to move the billet at a speed approxidesirednumber of swaging portions and a corresponding number of portions ofless diameter than the svvaging portions,aneans for continuouslyrotating said rolls, a means for moving the billet in the direction ofroll rotation into the bite of the swaging portion of the rolls at aspeed approximately that of the syvaging portions, and means for movingthe billet in the reverse direction after su'aging' or reducing action.

N. In a rolling mill. the combination of rolls having any desired numberof swaging portions and corresponding portions of less diameter than theswaging portions, means for continuously rotating said rolls, and abillet moving mechanism controlled by the rolls and operative in thedirection of roll rotation, to move the billet at a speed approximatelythat of the rolls at the time when the rolls engage the billet.

1L In a rolling mill. the combination desired number of suaging portionsand a corresponding number of. portions of less diameter than thesu'aging portions, means for continuously rotating said rolls. and abillet reciprocating mechanism controlled by the rolls of rolls havingany ,and operative to reciprocate the billet and arranged on themovement in the direction of roll rotation to impart to the billet aspeed approximately equal to that of the rolls at the time theswag-ingportions of the rolls engage .lhe billet.

10. In a rolling mill, the combination of intermittingly acting rolls,means for operating said rolls, a billet holder, a fluid pressurecylinder. connected to the billet holder, a second fluid pressuremechanism consisting of a cylinder and piston, said cylinders beingconnected at points outside of the traverse of the pistons. and meanscontrolled by the rolls for reciprocating one of the members of thesecond fluid pressure mecha piston, one of said parts being,

l I l l acting rolls, means for operating said rolls, a billet holder, afluid pressure cylinder, a piston, one of said parts being connected tothe billet holder, means for imparting a feed movement to the otherpart. a second fluid pressure mechanism consisting of a cylinder andpiston, said cylinder being connected at points outside of the traverseof the pistons. and means controlled by the rolls for reciprocating oneof the members of the second fluid pressure mechanism.

13. In a rolling mill, the combination of intermittingly actingrolls.means for operating said rolls, a billet holder :1 fluid pressurecylinder, a piston, one of said parts being connected to the billetholder, at second fluid pressure mechanism consisting of a cylinder andpiston, said cylinders being connected at points outside of the traverseot' the pistons. a means operated by the rolls for reciprocating one ofthe members of the second fluid pressure mechanism.

14. In a rolling mill, the combination of rolls having any desirednumber of reducing or swaging portions and a corresponding number ofportions of less diameter, means for continuously rotating said rolls, abillet holder, means for progressively feeding the billet holder towardssaid rolls. means for moving the billet holder in direction of therotation of the rolls at a speed approximately equal to that of therolls at the time when the rolls engage the billet, means for moving theholder in the opposite direction, and means operative on the release ofthe billet from the rolls for rotating the holder.

15. in a rolling mill, the combination of rolls having any desirednumber of reducing or swaging portions, and a corresponding number ofportions of less diameter, means for continuously rotating said rolls, abillet holder, means for feeding the holder towards the rolls, means formoving the holder in the direction of rotation of the rolls at a speedapproximately equal to that of the rolls-at the time when the rollsengage the billet, means for moving the holder in the oppositedirection, a fluid pressure means for rotating the holder operative whenthe billet is released from thegrip of the rolls.

in testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand.

EMIL WINTER.

Witnesses:

CHARLES BARNETT, HERBERT BRADLEY.

